Krejcir’s sentencing postponed to October

Radovan Krejcir’s sentencing was postponed until October 12 in the South Gauteng High Court yesterday due to his advocate being absent.

The advocate underwent surgery. A grouchy Krejcir told reporters he was not happy because he wanted to put in his application for an appeal.

Krejcir, Sandton businessman Desai Luphondo, former East Rand Organised Crime Warrant Officers Samuel Modise Maropeng, Jan Lefu Mofokeng and Siboniso Miya, were convicted in August for the kidnapping and attempted murder of Bhekithemba Lukhele in June 2013.

The 143-day long trial has been characterised by a high level of animosity between the bench and defence advocate Annelene van den Heever. Extreme security was also a feature as Krejcir and Miya were escorted at high speed under guard by Tactical Response Teams from their respective prisons.

On any given trial day there were at least 10 police officers in court, including a protection detail for the prosecutor, advocate Louis Mashiane. People attending the trial had to sign in and were subjected to full body searches.

In December 2013, police revealed in court Luphondo had allegedly contacted a witness to tell him he would die if he testified. When the witness and his wife returned from shopping, they found their dog had been killed. It was also revealed in court Mashiane was allegedly also warned if he did not allow Krejcir bail, he would die.

Meanwhile, Krejcir and his co-accused in the Sam Issa murder trial are doggedly pursuing their by now purely academic bail application in the matter, due for judgment on September 21.